What If There Will Be A Tomb Raider Game...Without Guns?

Disclaimer:
This is an idea for a video game that expresses concerns over the devastating effects of mass shootings in real life. Along with a strong recommendation to give condolences and kindness to those who have been affected by such tragedies, reader discretion is advised.

It has been a while since we discussed how a spin-off of the Tomb Raider franchise can appeal to players with hearing difficulties by introducing a new character who communicates with BSL (British Sign Language) [38] [39]. Considering how specific changes have been established in media throughout the years to catch up with society’s evolving standards [4] [35], I believe one specific could eventually happen in a new game that could take place in a few years after the events of Shadow of the Tomb Raider as a spin-off of the reboot trilogy [31]. The only difference could be that a slightly older Lara Croft will NOT be using twin pistols at all during the gameplay. Shocking, right? Not too long ago, I have posted a poll on Twitter to see how many of my followers either supported, opposed or were neutral towards the idea [41]. Before any of you dear tomb raiders outside of my Twitter following who oppose that idea write my name in a burn book [13], please allow me to state why the possibility of Lara raiding a tomb without her guns could happen in a future instalment, despite how the likeliness of that ever happening seems low.

“Wait! First Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam [3], now Lara Croft?! Who’s next? Deadpool [5] [6]?!” exclaimed some of my dear readers before allowing Laura Williams to elaborate on why such an establishment could occur in the future of gaming. [32]

Although the concept could be rejected for the sake of maintaining the usual tomb raiding flow [21], the most legitimate reason for establishing a Tomb Raider game without any type of gun would be to further ensure respect towards innocent victims of traumatic mass shootings, especially for American audiences today. There have been too many tragic shootings throughout modern history in real life already and plenty of folks out there are hoping that no more of them will occur in this new decade [8]. To ensure that the player further understands the motive of removing guns from the experience, there ought to be a cutscene of the beautiful and intelligent Lara hearing about another tragic massacre somewhere in America from a news report and deciding not to bring any of her guns before arriving there. That way we can clearly see her sense of humanity that was especially portrayed in the reboot timeline and still root for her as she remains fiercely independent and adventurous on another daring quest [26] [43] [44], along with how such a premise can be viewed as still convincing yet ultimately respectful by innocent American gamers who have been affected by a tragic shooting at some point in their lives.

An establishment of Lara’s motivation for temporarily leaving her guns behind would be a new and interesting take on her character development, especially if the game that establishes it takes place a few years after the events of Shadow of the Tomb Raider as her ability to be empathic and compassionate to her friends was shown in the first game in the reboot trilogy [26] [28]. [29]

Since the Legend incarnation of the brunette archaeologist only killed to defend herself and consisted of a kinder side as the loss of a human life saddens her [25], seeing her sacrifice the need to bring guns to America at some point within the Survivor timeline or at least sometime set after it can be an element of her likability. I am not saying that just because my Lara Croft cosplay did not consist of realistic-looking toy guns two years ago [38]. [33]

I know what my dear readers must be thinking. Tomb Raider without twin pistols would be like Spider-Man without webs [19] [20]. Surely Elmer Fudd did not have his traditional rifle in Looney Tunes Cartoons: Dynamite Dance [34], but at least the younger Lara Croft had another form of defence in the reboot of the franchise that was established in 2013, which was archery [29]. Additionally, the classic Lara was able to use a crossbow in Tomb Raider IV - The Last Revolution and Lara Croft: Relic Run [21] [36]. She also could use a spear in Lara Croft GO [37]. As for Dynamite Dance, I can still appreciate the other forms of classic cartoon slapstick, despite the absence of Elmer’s rifle [34]. As someone who nailed the archery section of The Bear Grylls Adventure in early 2019 [2] [41], I can only imagine that replacing the twin pistols mechanics with a bow and arrow method can provide that refreshing element of the reboot and the movie based on it [23] [29]. Besides, why would I suggest Nerf guns for Lara’s bullet-free assignment unless it was in an advert for a forthcoming game that also promotes a new Nerf product [9], quite similar to how the old school Lara once advertised Lucozade [12] [24]?

The absence of Elmer Fudd’s rifle was only a small part of the charm of the original Looney Tunes cartoons missing as part of my motivation for discussing how there could be a Tomb Raider game without guns. I can tell that the removal of Fudd’s signature weapon was meant to not offend viewers who have been affected by a mass shooting while providing other forms of slapstick [3]. [34]

And of course, the way Lara Croft advertised Lucozade back in about 1999 was awesome [12] [24]. Perhaps there could actually be a Tomb Raider-themed Nerf product in association with promoting a new game if the idea of Lara raiding a tomb without guns gets rejected, quite like how there were Fortnite-themed Nerf weapons that were released in 2019 [10]? Nonetheless, I still believe that a Tomb Raider game without guns can work if planned out carefully. [24]

Even though I can understand why a Tomb Raider game without the usage of guns can be beneficial for gamers who have personally been affected by the events of a school shooting or a mass shooting at another type of public place [8], I am aware that slightly too much political correctness can degradingly affect the overall feeling of an iconic franchise [3] [45] [46]. Furthermore, I think the absence of Ms. Croft’s guns ought to be only for just one new game if enough amount of backlash that discourages it occurs after its release and sales. In theory, perhaps not many Nintendo nerds were satisfied with the first-person driver mode in Mario Kart 7 [14] [22], which could explain its absence in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [15] [16]. Of course, I do not solely blame violence in video games for violence in real life as many of us gamers are wise and humane enough to not act upon a character’s brutality outside of gaming. Nonetheless, I would still understand why a new Tomb Raider game would not feature any usage of guns if Ms. Croft raids a tomb somewhere in America, no matter which platform it would be available on.

I am not saying that Lady Croft should permanently refrain from slaughtering foes with guns, nor that I believe that it would definitely be rejected because I believe that the premise of her raiding a tomb without any should only be established as just simply a potentially political experiment on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series or iOS and Android [17] [21] [47] [48]. [28]

As previously mentioned, she can always rely on her bow and arrow for those who adore the reboot timeline. [29]

In conclusion, I believe that a new Tomb Raider that does not consist of pistol mechanics in its gameplay can only work if the archery mechanics from the reboot are present for at least some form of defence [27] [29]. Not only can it show respect to those affected by a tragic shooting, but it can be a refreshing take on Lara’s development. And of course, even though I am not saying that such a concept will definitely happen, it should not be a permanent change just in case it ends up reducing overall satisfaction. After all, plenty of tomb raiders would prefer a sincere start of a new trilogy in the 2020s that takes place after the reboot trilogy and could lead to the return of the old school Lady Croft from 1996 [31]. Surely most Sonic supporters would prefer something like a new anime series based on Sonic the Hedgehog [10] [18], which should not be an unnecessary continuation of Sonic X in my opinion [1], but can perhaps feature a new story in a few years’ time. If you strongly disagree with my suggestion for a gunless Tomb Raider game, free to slap my wrist...and roast me in a burn book.

Speaking of a new Sonic anime, I think I know what I would like to discuss with my fear readers really soon. [1]

As for the possibility of a Tomb Raider game without guns in the future of gaming, I would be certainly up for it as a one-shot experiment…unless it excels to some degree and results in some potential for a continuation. [30]

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